Synthesis and microstructure characterization of the Ni/C60 composite materials

Structural variability of the Ni/C-60 thin film composites was observed after ion irradiation and/or thermal annealing. Annealing of the irradiated Ni/C-60/Ni multilayers led to micrometer-large rod-type particles, annealing of the non-irradiated specimens resulted in truncated rectangular footprints. Micrometer-large spherical or dodecahedral Ni droplets were synthesized by annealing of the non-irradiated Ni+C-60 mixtures. The structural variation of the Ni/C-60 systems points out the complex physiochemical processes incited by elevated temperatures. First insight on the microstructural evolution of the Ni/C-60 composites after ion irradiation and/or thermal annealing is presented in this paper.